As part of the national programme raising awareness of Cancer and as part of Cancer Awareness Month we decided to do our bit to raise much needed funds for Macmillan Cancer Care. There are currently some 2 million people living with Cancer in the UK. We held a Coffee morning where we sold cakes and drinks during first and second lunch in the main school hall. We raised a total of just over £250 on the day which we are delighted with as £220 will pay for a Macmillan Nurse for a day and help people living with Cancer and their families receive essential support. It was a huge honour for us to take part and raise some much needed funds as well as raise awareness.

Rima Legah, Zain Akhtar, Serena Kumari, Zohaib Khalid, Anjali Thaper and Hawwah Ishaq

Sixth Form

All Year 12 and 13 students enjoyed a varied and interesting Enrichment Day on October 14^th. All pupils and students in the school had their normal timetable suspended for the day and followed a rich and diverse programme of activities. One of the key aims of the Enrichment programme is to educate the whole person both in and outside the classroom setting. In this way Handsworth Grammar School students will be empowered to become tolerant, understanding and compassionate, knowledgeable and well-rounded learners who will be a force for good in the wider community.

Year 12 students attended a number of thought-provoking presentations which were designed to educate, inform and challenge them:

• Jane Scott from the Institute of Chartered Accountants SPOKE about the opportunities for employment in this field after university.
• Former HGS student Karamveer Saini spoke about the opportunities with Deloitte, one of “The Big Four” accountancy firms in the world, and about his decision not to go to university but to join Deloittes “Brightstart” programme instead.
• Fire Fighter Ian Sturmey presented on the dangers of young drivers, and the consequences of their sometimes reckless driving, and the impact that this can have on young peoples’ lives and families.
• Another former HGS student, Keshav Bhatt from “Revolution Hive” worked with students to challenge their perceptions about broad gender issues.
• WPC Tracey Robbins presented on the dangers in this country from radical extremists who can influence idealistic young people.

 Year 13 students listened to the wisdom of Professor Simon Gates from Warwick University who talked about his fascinating career and the journey which he has made from studying Zoology, to now being the Professor of Clinical Trials at one of the country’s leading universities.

David Maxwell from Aberystwyth University, presented on “What Admissions Tutors look for” which gave some clear insights into the UCAS application process.

Finally, year 13 students were able to choose a recreational activity from Pottery, Yoga, Jewellery Making, Cooking on a Budget, or Bouldering and Climbing.

 A great day much enjoyed by all students and staff.

 Year 7 to 11

Year 7 to 11 students also had a rich and varied programme of activities on Enrichment Day as follows:

• Year 7 Media Day
• Year 8 Enterprise Day
• Year 9 House Competition
• Year 10 Visit to The National Memorial Arboretum
• Year 11 House Football Tournament

The above programme saw the students exploring the role of the Media, the variety of forms of Media and the potential impact it can have upon individuals and society as a whole. The Enterprise activity saw the students design and create a product and then sell it to a panel of judges. House activities played a part for the first time in many years and saw the students competing at table tennis, basketball, badminton and football as well as Debating the rights and wrongs of a School Uniform! Finally the trip to the National Memorial Arboretum enabled the students and staff to reflect upon and remember the large number of people who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their community and country in the line of duty and service.

If your son/daughter missed the meeting for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, it may still be possible to enrol.  Students can go to the Student resources area and find the DofE folder. In the recruitment folder there is the presentation that I gave at the meeting, HGS-DofE-Recruitment-2014.pptx, with details and costs. You can find lots of further information on the website – www.dofe.org.

Please see Mrs Stanton in Room C3, ASAP for an application form.

Recently the AS Level Geographers enjoyed a residential field trip to Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. The students studied glacial features such as Ribbon Lakes, Aretes, Corries, Hanging Valleys and a Roche Moutonnee in the beautiful Cwm Idwal and Nant Ffrancon Valley. The weather was kind to them and they had a fabulous experience studying first hand key elements of their A Level course. The trip to the summit of Mount Snowdon was probably the highlight for them as Aadam Sufi writes: “Standing at the top of Mount Snowdon looking down at the spectacular mountain range below gave us a sense of awe and wonder.”

As part of their A2 History studies, Y13 historians study civil rights in the USA 1865-1992 which includes African-American civil rights. To give an understanding of the practical and emotional reality of the slave trade and slavery, we visited the International Museum of Slavery in Liverpool in September 2014.

We travelled by train to Liverpool and walked through the city centre to the dock area where the International Museum of Slavery occupies the third floor of the Maritime Museum. Fittingly, the buildings are old warehouses that were used by companies trading with West Africa and the Caribbean.

The museum traces the culture of Africa before slavery and challenges the European perception of the time that Africa was an uncivilised place. Students were able to participate in a powerful video experience of what it was like to endure the Middle Passage journey from West Africa to the Caribbean before exploring in detail the hardships of life as a slave on a plantation. They were moved by the harsh punishments and gruelling working conditions endured by slaves and this gave them a deep understanding of why African-Americans, after they had been emancipated in 1865, continued to be mistreated and became increasingly frustrated at the slow pace of progress towards full civil rights in reality as well as on paper. The set-backs and achievements on this road to civil rights are studied by students as part of their course and these were also detailed in the museum, giving students an opportunity to see these struggles in the context of a much longer struggle for freedom.  An educational workshop enabled students to explore one aspect of slavery in-depth as well as its economic and moral aspects. The museum also encourages students to understand that slavery is not only part of history but unfortunately very much part of life today with human trafficking. They found the moving testimonies of people who have endured slavery in the UK and around the world today particularly poignant and challenging.